Chemistry Experiments
95 experiment protocols with step-by-step instructions
Experiment Finder
Click a cell to filter experiments by difficulty and duration.
Colorimetric Determination of Phosphate
Measuring phosphate levels in water using the molybdenum blue method
Determine the phosphate concentration in a water sample using the ammonium molybdate colorimetric method.
Colorimetric Protein Assay (Bradford Method)
Quantifying protein concentration using Coomassie Brilliant Blue dye binding
Determine the protein concentration of an unknown sample using the Bradford assay and a BSA calibration curve.
Spectrophotometric Analysis of a Mixture
Resolving a two-component mixture using simultaneous equations
Determine the individual concentrations of two dyes in a mixed solution using absorbance measurements at two wavelengths and simultaneous equations.
Spectrophotometric Determination of Aspirin
Measuring aspirin content in commercial tablets by UV absorption
Determine the amount of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) in commercial tablets using UV spectrophotometry after hydrolysis to salicylate.
Bismuth Rainbow Crystal Growing
Creating iridescent hopper crystals from molten bismuth
Grow iridescent bismuth hopper crystals by melting bismuth metal and controlling the cooling rate to form geometric staircase structures.
Burning Magnesium in Dry Ice
Magnesium continues to burn in solid carbon dioxide, reducing CO₂ to carbon
Demonstrate that magnesium can reduce carbon dioxide, challenging the misconception that CO₂ always extinguishes fires.
Oscillating Briggs-Rauscher Reaction
A chemical clock that cycles between colorless, amber, and deep blue
Observe a chemical oscillating reaction that repeatedly cycles through three distinct color states, demonstrating nonlinear chemical kinetics.
Sodium and Water Reaction
Observing the vigorous reaction of an alkali metal with water
Demonstrate the reactivity of alkali metals by reacting sodium with water, observing hydrogen evolution and hydroxide formation.
Thermite Reaction
An extremely exothermic redox reaction producing molten iron from rust and aluminum
Demonstrate an extreme exothermic oxidation-reduction reaction where aluminum reduces iron oxide to molten iron.
Concentration Cell
Generating voltage from concentration differences
Construct a concentration cell using copper half-cells at different concentrations and verify the Nernst equation prediction for cell potential.
Voltaic Cell Potential Measurement
Measuring EMF of various half-cell combinations
Measure the electromotive force (EMF) of multiple galvanic cell combinations and compare with standard reduction potential values.
Vapor Pressure and Boiling Point
Measuring how vapor pressure changes with temperature
Measure the vapor pressure of water at different temperatures and verify the Clausius-Clapeyron equation.
Aldol Condensation (Dibenzalacetone)
Synthesizing a UV-absorbing compound used in sunscreens
Synthesize dibenzalacetone via a crossed aldol condensation between benzaldehyde and acetone, demonstrating carbon-carbon bond formation.
Banana Oil (Isoamyl Acetate) Synthesis
Making the ester responsible for banana flavor
Synthesize isoamyl acetate (banana oil) via Fischer esterification of acetic acid and isoamyl alcohol, demonstrating how esters create fruit flavors.
Extraction of Caffeine from Tea
Isolating a natural alkaloid using liquid-liquid extraction
Extract caffeine from tea leaves using liquid-liquid extraction with dichloromethane, demonstrating solvent extraction and natural product isolation.
Fischer Esterification of Ethyl Acetate
Synthesizing an ester with a fruity aroma
Synthesize ethyl acetate (the aroma of nail polish remover) via Fischer esterification of acetic acid and ethanol, catalyzed by sulfuric …
Preparation of Acetaminophen (Paracetamol)
Synthesizing an analgesic by amide bond formation
Synthesize acetaminophen (paracetamol) by the acetylation of p-aminophenol with acetic anhydride, demonstrating amide bond formation.
Synthesis of Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic Acid)
Making one of the world's most common drugs
Synthesize aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) by acetylation of salicylic acid with acetic anhydride, and assess purity by melting point determination.
Flame Emission Spectroscopy
Quantitative identification of metals using spectroscope and flame
Use a spectroscope to observe and measure the emission line wavelengths of different metal ions in a flame.
Heat of Combustion of Magnesium
Determining ΔH using Hess's law and magnesium oxide
Determine the enthalpy of combustion of magnesium indirectly using Hess's law, since direct measurement is impractical.
Hess's Law Verification
Confirming that enthalpy is a state function using three reactions
Verify Hess's law by measuring the enthalpy changes of three related reactions and showing that ΔH1 + ΔH2 = ΔH3.
Conductometric Titration
Tracking a titration using electrical conductivity
Perform an acid-base titration using conductivity measurements instead of an indicator, and determine the endpoint from a conductivity-volume graph.
Double Indicator Titration of Carbonate-Bicarbonate Mixture
Using two indicators to analyze a carbonate mixture
Analyze a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate by titrating with HCl using two indicators sequentially: phenolphthalein and methyl …
EDTA Complexometric Titration of Water Hardness
Measuring calcium and magnesium content in water
Determine the total hardness of a water sample by titrating dissolved Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions with EDTA using Eriochrome Black …
Iodometric Titration of Bleach
Determining the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in household bleach
Determine the sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) concentration in commercial bleach using iodometric titration with sodium thiosulfate.
Precipitation Titration (Mohr Method)
Determining chloride concentration using silver nitrate
Determine the chloride ion concentration in a solution using the Mohr method, where silver nitrate is the titrant and potassium …
Redox Titration with Potassium Permanganate
Determining iron(II) concentration using KMnO₄
Determine the concentration of an iron(II) sulfate solution by titrating with standardized potassium permanganate, a self-indicating reagent.